Another Chad Ford piece that has a quick mention of the Rockets having some interest in Diop: Unlike the Wizards and Bulls, who are still struggling to figure out what to do with their budding young stars, the Cavs have already made their decision. Diop, whom the Cavs drafted with the No. 8 pick, is available to anyone – for just about anything. It's tough to find anything good to say about his career to this point. He's averaging 1.0 ppg and 2.7 rpg in about 11 mpg this season. The Cavs clearly reached for him in that draft, passing up much more talented players like Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Vladimir Radmanovic, Zach Randolph and Tony Parker. GM Jim Paxson fell in love with Diop at a group workout and decided on the spot to draft him. The most interesting thing about the decision is, at the time, Insider talked to a number of GMs and scouts who were at the workout and all came away claiming Diop was a joke. Somehow, Jim Paxson saw something no one else did. Diop has improved over the past three seasons. He's turned into a quality rebounder and defender, and he's added a little 10-foot jumper to his offensive repertoire. But at 7-0, 280, with his athleticism, he should be so much more. It's telling that the Cavs are so down on him they are offering to give him away, despite the fact their starting center, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, is both injury-prone and an unrestricted free agent this summer. A number of teams have flirted with bringing Diop in, including the Grizzlies, Pistons and Rockets. However, it's tough to see how a playoff contender can really benefit from his presence. Diop needs to land on a team like the Hawks or Hornets, who will give him lots of playing time and a place to grow. If he pans out, the team has a shot at re-signing him. If he doesn't, what do they really lose? Insider Link
Diop is an Atheletic freak. having said that, he has no skill whatsoever. his just an athelete. i certianly brand him as a B-Ball player. with his atheletic abelity, i think there is a good chance that JVG could mold him into a solid shot blocker or an defensive monster in the paint.
From nbadraft.net NBA Comparison: Bob Lanier Strengths: Sagana Diop is a very athletic big man. he's close to 300 pounds and runs the floor like a small forward. he's very fast. coming from senegal, africa, he's only been playing competitive basketball for a few years so he figures to get a lot better. right now his best asset is his defense. he can hold opposing centers virtually scoreless with his smothering style of defense. he is a very good shot blocker, and can also help out and block other opposing players shots. Weaknesses: he is not super polished offensively. he has soft touch around the basket but just hasn't developed the post moves to where they are automatic. there are very few centers in the nba game with his combination of strength, speed, and athleticism. Amazingly agile and athletic for a 7 foot 310 pound center. Runs the floor very well. Still very raw offensively but the makings are there. Shows soft touch around the cup. Super strong, very good defender with great shotblocking instincts. Guarded Tyson Chandler twice last season and ate him up the first matchup, Chandler had a much better game the second time around but rarely scored over Diop. (Pronounced JOP). I think Daflop is more like it.
I agree with holyMark We don't need any player with motivation or confidence issues. JVG's coaching style will crush the spirt and confidence of any but the strongest personalities.
he could be a decent prospect. ofcourse he doesnt live up to where he was picked in the lottery, but a 7 foot 300 pounder with athleticism doesnt come around often. i imagine that playing with/against deke ewing and yao in practice would do him a world of good.
Houston has not been good at bringing along talented players, unfortunately, but I'd LOVE to see the Rockets pick him up, and have Moses Malone mentor him. I think he's a real diamond in the rough. Somehow, we need to gather some talent to build around TMac and Yao, and this is one way to do that. We are very limited in our ability to pick up talent, and we need a defensive presence next to Yao at PF. He could become that. I think he could be great backing up both PF and C, if given time to develop and proper coaching.
if we move Mo T - then bring him in and give him the 20 mins a night he needs otherwise, it is a waste of time for him and the Rox. never forget... FREE BOKI !
Could Diop play the 4? It seems like he's be too heavy n slow to guard the quickers 4s like garnett n novitzki, and our 5 position is pretty solid with yao and deke. the only thing i can think of is to bring him here as our backup 5 for years to come.
I remember very vividly being told back then that the Rockets thought Diop was absolutely terrible after working him out. A monstrous project ... were not even considering taking him. If you recall also, the Rockets site back then put up the "war room" video that showed the reactions of the Rockets staff during the draft (when they made the deals for Eddie and Terence... whew-boy, uh... crap) and the place exploded when the Cavs took Diop at #8. Everyone was ecstatic.
I'd take him if it didn't really cost us anything. Deke is playing well but is about 59 years old. If nothing else, we can acquire pieces for trades involving expiring contracts (Deke? Wesley?) Still, you'd think the basketball could accidentally bounce off Diop's head every once in awhile and go in the basket and he'd average more points than he does. Maybe Silas tells him, "If it isn't a dunk, don't shoot it."
If it doesn't cost us alot, I don't see why not. If he doesn't pan out, then he is gone after the season. I would think both Deke & Ewing could mentor him a little and/or maybe he shines under JVG's defensive scheme.
Do we need Diop this season? Signing him in the next offseason for the league minimum could be a consideration.
Though, I'd imagine a lot of "everyone" has changed, save for CD. Diop doesn't really do anything for us. He's not under contract past this season, so he doesn't hold long term benefits for us. In the short term, he's a pure 5; we have probably the most solid center situation in the league, as Yao is a no doubt top 5 starter, and Deke is a top 5 backup. The only expendable piece Cleveland has that I'd be interested in is Luke Jackson. I'd send them our #1+TE for Jackson+Diop.
